Sources told VOA that at least three junior al-Shabab commanders were among the dead.

Residents said they heard three big explosions when the airstrikes targeted the al-Shabab base early on Sunday. Residents also said they believed the strikes were carried out by a U.S. drone but there has been no confirmation yet from the Pentagon.

The U.S. has used drone strikes to attack al-Shabab leaders in the past, including the group's supreme leader, Ahmed Abdi Godane, who was killed in a drone strike in September 2014.

Baladul Amin is near Ballidogle airport, which also serves as a base for Somalia’s special commandos who receive training from U.S. soldiers.